In India, approximately 2.5% of the total population suffers from mental disabilities. A large proportion of this are mentally challenged children. These children are often condemned to a life of neglect and privation.
Haryana Police Academy started the Pehal School, on 30th April 2007 to teach parents and their children basic life and vocational skills. The school started with eight children. As the school progressed and improvement in the behaviour and ability of these children became discernable, demand for such schools grew. Now the Pehal family consists of 4 schools, 49 children and 4 dedicated teachers.
Pehal ingrained in the children the concepts of cleanliness and hygiene. A concerted effort was made to befriend these children by playing with them, holding, tickling and making them participate in games. Singing and dancing became a part of their daily routine.
Pehal encourages caregivers of these children to recreate a similar environment at home, shower them with love and treat them as equals. They instill the values of long term effort, patience and determination to bring about small yet significant changes.
An art project was another effort on part of Pehal. An art teacher guided these children to create some unique and timeless pieces. The artwork has now taken the form of postcards and greeting cards
Pass them along to family and friends
To mark memorable days and occasions
Let your loved ones know that they crossed your mind.
Carry Pehal with you and share the love that started it all.
If you would like to know more about Pehal: The Initiative, email pehal@deidaa.com
Thanks Shakuntala and Navin Chandra Joshi for letting us be a part of Pehal.
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